17 March 2014, 18:00
Dear compatriots!
This is a complicated time for Ukraine and each of us today.
Russian military men actually keep Crimea at gunpoint, covering their aggression under a falsified, null and void “referendum” that will never be recognized neither by Ukraine, nor by the whole civilized world.
Moreover, Russia has concentrated its troops on our border, threatening Ukraine with a full scale war.
All this time we have been provoked to armed conflict in Crimea, which threatened lives of hundreds of thousands of our citizens. This should have been a ground for military intervention, under pretense of protecting Russians and Russian-speaking Ukrainians.
However, this plan failed due to the accurately chosen action strategy. Our military men have shown a truly heroic endurance, Ukrainians did not rise to provocations, while Russia, instead, has actually ended up in international isolation.
Attempts of military blocking of Crimea are temporary and will not lead to detachment of Crimea from Ukraine. We are ready to negotiations, however, we will never accept annexation of our territory.
Ukrainian people are not opposed by Russians that go out into the streets of Moscow to support the fight of our country. We are counteracted by the political leadership of the Russian Federation. They dream of restoring the empire. They are in panic fear of Ukraine’s example, where people managed to defeat totalitarian regime.
Kremlin is most afraid of democratic, European, successful and prosperous Ukraine that we are building today. This is the true motive of their aggression.
However, this cannot break aspirations of Ukrainian people to live in a free country, where authority is chosen by people, where freedom and dignity are the basic principles, where each citizen is protected, and where there is justice and the opportunity to develop.
And we will build such Ukraine because all these difficulties make us stronger.
Surely, there are lots of difficulties and mistakes. However, despite the terrible economic crisis, government manages to find money means for the army and the National Guard. The Verkhovna Rada has adopted such amendments to the State budget today.
Yes, we have to economize and first of all we cut down expenditures on state structures. However, we will not cut down on security and defense, since the life of each Ukrainian depends on it. Citizens’ life and safety is our main value. We will do everything possible to avoid war and human losses. We will do everything to settle the conflict by diplomatic means. However, military threat to our country is real. That is why I have signed the Decree on partial mobilization. This decision was today approved by our Parliament. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian patriots voluntarily enroll into the Armed Forces and the National Guard in order to protect Homeland.
I want to tell everyone – we are strengthening our defense capacity each day. Ukraine is ready to protect inviolability of its land.
All Ukrainian people should today unite into one big family that is ready to protect its native home.
During this complicated period we all have to demonstrate support to each other; be one team; hold a common line against the aggressor and provide our military men and the Armed Forces with everything necessary.
It is not a secret that the aggressor does everything to undermine situation inside Ukraine, to provoke inner controversies, civil confrontation and show weakness of the Ukrainian state. Provocateurs and rioters, financed by traitors and separatists, are sent into the country. Thus, any illegal actions, attempts to stir people up to mass disturbances, seize buildings, as well as mob punishments, counteraction to law enforcement agencies or the Armed Forces under current circumstances will be viewed as an attempt to promote military aggressors and as a crime against the state. They will be severely punished in line with the Ukrainian legislation and the Constitution, regardless of their political slogans or the regions the crimes were committed in.
This is neither a time to sort out relationship, nor a time for political confrontation. We have to bear responsibility for each our word, for each call, and for each action. We have to realize that this is what the destiny of our country might depend on.
We will protect our country and restore economic power, as well as influence and authority of Ukraine by common actions, hard work, unity and fortitude!
I want to thank each of you for your courage, endurance and support.
The truth, God and Ukraine are with us!